More MINI Variants Confirmed w/Production Likely Outside the UK

Sections: R55 (Clubman) | R56 (Hatch) | R57 (Conv.) | R60 (Countryman) Feb 5th, 2007 25 Comments

MF Exclusive: This past weekend I had the opportunity to be a part of MINI USA’s official 2007 MINI press introduction. Among some of the more interesting experiences over the past two days was getting to spend some time with MINI executives. Now it’s worth noting that, most of the more probing questions were met with a smile and a “no comment”. However during one part of the conversation with the man behind MINI USA, Jim McDowell, we got some unusual and welcome candor.

While talking about the new MINI I asked Mr. McDowell how important he thought being British built was to the MINI brand. His answer was rather interesting. He mentioned that, while it’s important for MINIs to be built in Oxford, it shouldn’t be a limiting factor. He went onto say that it’s also very important to the BMW brand that BMWs are built in Munich. But that doesn’t stop BMW from having plants in such locations as South Africa, Austria and the United States. With pens flying (notably by the Wallstreet Journal writer to my left) Mr. McDowell continued to discuss what the future had in store for the brand, “expect to see four to five models in total from the MINI brand in the next five years.”

Jaws gaping, he was asked to repeat himself by Mr White from the Journal. So he said it again in a slightly different way, “we will have an important new production every year for the next four to five years.”

So let’s do a quick count:

R56 Coupe
R55 Clubman
R57 Convertible
R58?
???

And while we had a couple of fascinating conversations over the weekend, none was more telling and on the record as that bit of news.

Written By: Gabe

Craig

I guess you can expect a fun trip like this past weekend, once a year for the next few years? Lucky man!
VMMVMMM

Would one of those new “productions” be the R56 JCW car, though? If they are treating these like M versions of BMW cars, that is probably one of the models he is talking about.
j

i just got this month’s motor trend and in it is a list of about 50 cars that will be coming out in the near future. the did have (what looked like a computer ill.) a mini moke. basically they when into exactly what we’v been going over- that car is bigger all over which allows for AWD. Gabe, any more news on the “speedster”/ “roadster” version?
J.Melrose

I was going to guess that a JCW-built roadster seemed like a likely candidate. 2 seats and built for all out speed.
BartMack

I personally hope they do a 2 seater fastback (think DB5)… THAT would get my attention back over to MINI… otherwise, I think I’m done….
BG

One of the US mags had a 4X4 Mini SUV looking thing in it this month. Either Motor Trend or Car and Driver. I just got it in the mail so I’m not sure if it’s Feb issue or March but it’s the latest edition.
BG

Probably the same thing J saw.
Drill

Any chance he was counting the JCW Coupe as a separate model? If MINI does what’s been rumored and ONLY make the JCW’s from the factory AND it’s built with a factory exclusive body kit, then that may be it :-(
gokartride

Okay, my jaw just dropped, too! Here we’re approaching the 50th anniversary of the Mini and this juggernaut shows no sign of slowing down. What a fascinating marque to watch!!!
lavardera

The GP must have made it clear that there is a market for a two seat Mini. I see a two door with a folding hard top coming. Look out miatas!
http://www.myr53.com SB

I’d love to see a MINI roadster.
Bud

Anticipating new models will keep our imaginations working O.T. I am sure.

Perhaps MINI should consider more engine variants as well as body configurations. GM has a turbine powered vehicle that may never see the light of a showroom but nonetheless excited all onlookers at the NAAS a few weeks ago.

Let’s start by bringing the MINI Diesel to America this year and next year Let’s motor with AWD! That’s what I’d like to see materialize ASAP.
Bilbo Baggins

I would truely see something as close as possible to an R53 with AWD/Twinster drivetrain. Taught suspension, raspy exhaust, plenty of horsepower potential, throaty intake growl/howl.

Mmmmmmmm, makes my knees weak just thinking about it.
Crusoe

The MINI truck!
O(=^=)O Capn

I am shocked! This flys in the face of everything that the Mini or MINI stands for! A Truck! AWD?!? A Convertible!! A Wagon! There never were, nor ever should be any such nonsense! Sunroofs are horrible, An MCS with an automatic trans?!? Wrong! The Engine is too big! It should just be MAX 1200cc. Anything bigger just goes against tradition.

I could live with training wheels on it though, so when you corner at high speeds you don’t roll it. The ultimate in classic DSC. Yeah, do away with DSC too!
Jimskater

Capn,

Methinks you are being facetious.

:)
O(=^=)O Capn

Facetious? We can’t have any of that in a MINI either!
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Larry

I agree with you Bud. A Mini with a diesel & AWD; make it a clubman too!
Greg W

Hmmm….does this mean MINI could be assembled at Spartanburg??? just for USA market?
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tgaz

The new mini AWD will be a beefed up version of the clubman, not very imaginative. As for other reader comments on not going above a 1.2 engine, well the original mini’s had a 1.3 and if you put anything that small in the car it would be quite slugish. As for sticking to original mini prinipals, in my day it was morris, austin, BL or rover mini now it’s just mini — one, cooper or cooper S no model so when they put these trims on the clubman it becomes realy confusing. It’s sad to see BMW pandering to an american market and turning a British icon which stood for getting the most out of a small car, into a fat gas guzzling suv, instead they should bring out a small car to rival the smart for two which is closer to mini’s true herritage. And as for being built outside the UK, well the original was made outside the UK as well at times but then they aren’t true mini’s and never will be as will be the same for the current model.

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